97 Camry Radiator leak
in [Toyota Camry]
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From: lobo on 20 Dec 2007 18:29 Hi, Smelled radiator coolant and found a small weeping leak on the plastic top of the radiator. Not at the place where the plastic top joins the radiator but where the top makes a turn upwards. It looks like a crack in the plastic and as I said the coolant iis just weeping out. I know that in time it will get worse. Wonder if epoxy on that area would help.?? Or just bite the bullet and get a new radiator. Carl
From: Justa Lurker on 20 Dec 2007 18:46 lobo wrote: > Hi, > Smelled radiator coolant and found a small weeping leak on the plastic top > of the radiator. Not at the place where the plastic top joins the radiator > but where the top makes a turn upwards. It looks like a crack in the > plastic and as I said the coolant iis just weeping out. I know that in time > it will get worse. > Wonder if epoxy on that area would help.?? Or just bite the bullet and get a > new radiator. > > Carl > > > Had a very similar situation on 95 Camry LE 4Cyl Auto radiator last summer at approx 125000 miles. Never smelled the coolant but noticed level dropping in reservoir. I won't say that you couldn't epoxy it satisfactorily because I didn't try, but our mechanic (independent & trustworthy) recommended replacement and I went with his advice.
From: timbirr on 20 Dec 2007 18:54 On Dec 20, 3:29 pm, "lobo" <l...(a)lobo.com> wrote: > Hi, > Smelled radiator coolant and found a small weeping leak on the plastic top > of the radiator. Not at the place where the plastic top joins the radiator > but where the top makes a turn upwards. It looks like a crack in the > plastic and as I said the coolant iis just weeping out. I know that in time > it will get worse. > Wonder if epoxy on that area would help.?? Or just bite the bullet and get a > new radiator. > > Carl It's pretty easy to swap out the radiator, but then again, it's going to cost you a couple of hours, new coolant, the time it takes to buy one, disposal of the old one, etc., etc., as well as $200 more or less for the new aftermarket radiator. Some JB WELD would be a lot quicker and considerably cheaper. Not saying it will work, not saying it won't, but I'd be tempted to try -- ask the parts counter folks for an opinion if you have a good parts store nearby. And, if you go the cheapo route, two things: 1. He who cheaps out usually ends up spending considerably more in the long run. 2. If you "cheap out," keep a close eye on it for a couple, three weeks until you are satisfied all is well. Good luck.
From: timbirr on 20 Dec 2007 19:51 On Dec 20, 3:29 pm, "lobo" <l...(a)lobo.com> wrote: > Hi, > Smelled radiator coolant and found a small weeping leak on the plastic top > of the radiator. Not at the place where the plastic top joins the radiator > but where the top makes a turn upwards. It looks like a crack in the > plastic and as I said the coolant iis just weeping out. I know that in time > it will get worse. > Wonder if epoxy on that area would help.?? Or just bite the bullet and get a > new radiator. > > Carl I posted a bit ago about cheaping out and trying a patch. I just offhandly mentioned JB Weld, even though there are lots of other products that would probably work as well or better. But, being bored and stuck at home today, I did end up going to the JB Web site. They have a lot more products than I remember...even one that will work on gas tanks.... So, with the cavet that I don't know if patching will work. I don't know if one of JB's products will work. And I have no financial interest in JB Weld at all...although I wish I did, you might just look at their Web site and see if you get any ideas. And, just so I don't sound so much like a "shill for JB," even tho. I deny it, you might try a local speciality radiator shop and see if they have a cheap solution they would be able to do for $40...$50....or you might try a local plumbling supply house and see if they have a sealer they might recommend. There is a "Marine Epoxy" that I use on PVC pipes that are in constant contact with water that is fantastic, but I don't remember the name, but the guys at the plumb supply warehouse turned me onto it. Anyway, the JB site is: http://jbweld.net/products/index.php
From: Nobody Important on 20 Dec 2007 19:55
timbirr(a)mailcity.com wrote: > There is a "Marine Epoxy" that I use on PVC pipes that are in constant > contact with water that is fantastic, but I don't remember the name, West System Epoxy. Accept no substitutes. :) |